Witchcraig

Witchcraig, Witchcraig Wall, Refuge Stone, Preaching Stone and Socketed Stone

Witchcraig

Accessible from the Scottish Korean War memorial garden, this small woodland, which is perfect for short walks, offers routes which showcase the tremendous natural beauty of the area.

Witchcraig offers excellent Panoramic views that extend from Bass Rock in the east, to Arran in the west, and is an excellent place for a Sunset.

Witchcraig Wall

On the upper slopes of the Witch Craig, a stone shelter of unique design creates a fantastic view point. The Witch Craig Wall reflects the agricultural heritage of the area with its circular sheep fanks and many dry stone dykes. The wall incorporates 43 rock specimens from locations visible from this site and thus illustrates the geodiversity of the Midland Valley in this one place.

The Witchcraig Wall was built in 2003 through cooperation with the local landowner to provide a resting place for hill walkers whilst exhibiting the geological heritage and diversity of the Scottish central belt.

Refuge Stone

In the nearby stone dyke, there is a “Refuge Stone” with the Cross of Lorraine etched onto its surface. This is one of several which formerly created a circle at a radius of one mile from the central stone in Torphichen Preceptory. In Medieval times sanctuary could be claimed within this area.

The 12th century ‘refuge stone’ marks the boundary of Torphichen which was held by the Knights of St John Hospitallers of Jerusalem where they established a Preceptory in 1124. One side of the Refuge Stone has the Past Preceptor Cross, which is almost identical to the Cross of Lorraine.

It is often cited that there were four refuge/sanctuary stones located one Scots mile, north, south, east and west of the Preceptory. The central stone is in the Torphichen Kirkyard. The stones, associated with the Knights of St John’s of Jerusalem, offered sanctuary to anyone who reached them, protecting them from oppressive forces, assault or revenge attacks. All of the space within the circle formed by these stones was as much a legal sanctuary as the church itself and offered protection against the law to every criminal or debtor who entered and remained within its precincts.

“An entry from 1878 records: “This slab measures 2 3/4′ x 2′ x 13″, and is sculptured with a patriarchal cross on both sides, shown in high relief on the W side, and deeply incised on the E. It marks the boundary of Torphichen (which was held by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem)” and was pictured embedded in the top few courses of a stone wall. It is now located adjacent to this wall, near the Witchcraig Viewpoints.”

Preaching Stone

Also hidden away on a grassy slope behind Witchcraig, there is a glazier erratic stone with the following inscription on it ““January 14th, 1738.

Here was preached the first sermon by ye most worthy Mr Hunter from ye 37th Chapter of Ezekiel and ye 26th Verse.” The first sermon of St Ninian Criaigmailen church was carried out in the Bathgate hills.

The preaching stone is not signposted and is difficult to find. If you want to find the location please contact Bathgate Hills facebook page for more information.

The Preaching stone is related to this church in Linlithgow. St Ninians Craigmailen Parish Church

Info from https://www.stninianscraigmailen.org.uk/church-history/

Craigmailen, The Preaching Stone:

The Rev. James Thomson of Burntisland was Moderator and Ebenezer Erskine and his brother Ralph were present. A Kirk Session of ten ruling elders was ordained and an estimated thousand people were present. The Minute of this Meeting contains a request for a Sabbath Day’s preaching by Mr John Hunter, Probationer. This was duly granted and is recorded on the “Preaching Stone” on Craigmailen Hill, which bears the inscription – “January 14th, 1738.

Here was preached the first sermon by ye most worthy Mr Hunter from ye 37th Chapter of Ezekiel and ye 26th Verse.” (the date on the stone should be 1739 instead of 1738.) A relative of the said Mr Hunter is currently an elder in the Congregation.

Socketed Stone

At the south entrance to Witchcraig, to the right of the gate against a wall is a medieval dark age socket stone. This stone would Have been the base that held a stone cross. It is believed the cross was taken and used when building Cathlaw House.

Ancient Cross in West Lothian

This cross base lies just off Cathlaw Lane, almost halfway between Cairnpapple Hill and Witch Craig (Crag), by the side of the road and almost hidden from the adjacent footpath.

Recorded as Canmore ID 47918, an entry from the Ordnance Survey Name Book of 1856 reads: “This square-dressed socket-stone of grey whin is 29″ square and 16″ above ground, the socket is 14 1/2″ x 21 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ deep. Round the edge of the stone is a 4″ splay. The edge round the socket has been chipped and rounded and a shallow channel formed at one corner, so that it may have been used as a trough. The cross formerly stood by the roadside, but the socket stone has been moved into its present position in the adjoining field, while the shaft was taken to Cathlaw House for building purposes.”

The above info and text is from https://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=47497

Example of a cross with Socket Stone at base:

Getting there … and options for a Witchcraig walk

Please note that part of the route is quite steep and may be slippery so take extra care. The site can be reached from the car park at the nearby Scottish Korean War Memorial lying to the south-west, on a minor road which runs south from the west side of Beecraigs Country Park.

Here is a pleasant uphill walk with fantastic views which begins at the impressive Korean War Memorial. Distance: 2.5 mls / 4kms:

Park in the layby at the Korean War Memorial (well worth a visit), and follow the path uphill. Cross the stile and follow the signpost to the Refuge Stone / Witchcraig Wall. At the view point, take in the views across the Forth over to the Campsie Hills. This is also the site of Witchcraig Wall, an enclosure with 43 special stones built into it, collected from across Central Scotland. The Refuge Stone is built into the wall behind this enclosure.

From the information sign follow the path north, walking downhill and through young woodland. At the bottom of the hill the path veers left and after approximately 175 yards look for the stile on your right. Cross this stile and follow the path to a gate, take the right track and on passing a metal gate take an immediate right to pick up the small path (Guthries Path). Follow this path uphill. At the top, after a dip, take the path to your left until you reach a larger path and turn left. After 75 yards turn right onto a track signposted Balvormie.

Follow the Balvormie sign and head through a meadow and past the BBQ site to reach a road. Toilets are situated in this area. Turn right on this road and head up a beautiful tree lined avenue. At the top of the hill take the path to the right at the Beecraigs Country Park boundary sign, taking you back onto Guthries Path. Follow the path approximately 320 yards to take you back to the dip in the path. Retrace your route back to the War Memorial.